2012 NFL Mock Draft: Breaking Down Studs and Duds of Round 1

With the 2012 NFL Scouting Combine out of the way, it’s time to move on to the next most important aspect of the process, the mock drafts.

While the mock drafts may only be important in my head, they are very important to the people that care about their teams. In this mock, we break down the studs and duds of the 2012 first round.

Although free agency will shift the landscape of the draft, this is a good starting place to evaluate talent and how each players fits with different teams.

1.  Indianapolis Colts – Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

STUD: Andrew Luck is the closest thing to a lock you can find in the draft. Peyton Manning: Part Deux.

2.  Cleveland Browns – Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor (via trade with St. Louis Rams)

DUD: The incredible amount of hype around RGIII and the price that a team will pay to acquire the young star’s services will be a burden too heavy to bear. Griffin will not live up to the expectations.

3.  Minnesota Vikings – Matt Kalil, OT, USC

STUD: Matt Kalil proved he is the best offensive lineman in this class. Easy pick for the Vikings.

4.  St. Louis Rams – Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State (via trade with Cleveland Browns)

DUD: As good has people have made him out to be, I just don’t see him being anything more than a slot receiver that gets 3-5 catches a game. Solid pick, but not as spectacular as advertised.

5.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

STUD: The best cornerback in the draft also offers plenty of ability in the return game. He's a perfect fit for a team rebuilding the secondary.

6. Washington Redskins – Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

STUD: If they do not trade up for Robert Griffin III in the draft, that means they got the quarterback they were aiming for via free agency. In that case, protecting whoever is under center with a strong tackle like Reiff is a no-brainer.

7.  Jacksonville Jaguars – Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

STUD: After an impressive combine, the new Jacksonville regime will start the rebuilding process in the trenches with raw prospect Michael Brockers.

8.  Carolina Panthers – Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

DUD: While I think that Coples will have a solid career, it will never justify the No. 8 overall pick the Carolina Panthers would have to spend on him.

9.  Miami Dolphins – Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

STUD: The Miami Dolphins are in the same boat as the Washington Redskins this year, but they too will get their quarterback through free agency or trade. To protect him, they will draft Jonathan Martin.

10.  Buffalo Bills – Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

DUD: While Courtney Upshaw has the talent and speed to pass-rush in the NFL, his size makes him a bit of a question mark in terms of shedding blocks.

11.  Kansas City Chiefs – Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

STUD: With serious questions about Jamaal Charles' knee injury and no legitimate backup in town, drafting Trent Richardson is a no-brainer.

12.  Seattle Seahawks – Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

STUD: With needs all over the field, the Seahawks will go with what they perceive as the best player available in cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick.

13.  Arizona Cardinals – Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

DUD: With serious questions at quarterback and a serious No.1 wide receiver in Larry Fitzgerald, Alshon Jeffery will be mailing in the effort by Week 4.

14.  Dallas Cowboys – Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

DUD: As good as the middle linebacker was in college, he is undersized for the NFL level. Given a one-on-one with a bigger offensive lineman or an athletic fullback, Kuechly would lose.

15.  Philadelphia Eagles – Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

STUD: If Melvin Ingram falls this far, Andy Reid's affinity for pass-rushers won’t allow him to drop another spot. Steal of the draft if this comes to fruition.

16.  New York Jets – Nick Perry, OLB, USC

STUD: With a major turnover on defense, the New York Jets need the pass-rushing abilities of Nick Perry coming around the edge.

17.  Cincinnati Bengals – Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

STUD: Despite some major off-field issues to contend with, Janoris Jenkins is the second-best cornerback in this draft. Plus, the Bengals never met a problem they didn’t want to handle.

18.  San Diego Chargers – David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

STUD: The San Diego Chargers have to do everything they can to protect Philip Rivers or face the same playoff-less fate again this season. David DeCastro is a good place to start.

19.  Chicago Bears – Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

STUD: Jay Cutler needs to stand up to pass. Mike Adams and a Mike Martz-less offense will save him from almost certain doom.

20.  Tennessee Titans – Zach Brown, OLB, UNC

DUD: As good as Zach Brown has looked, he is very raw. He will be a solid player, but it will take a few seasons to really fulfill his potential.

21.  Cincinnati Bengals – Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

STUD: If Cedric Benson goes, this pick makes total sense.

22.  Cleveland Browns – Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

DUD: With injury issues and a lack of a real quarterback to throw him the ball, his production will be lackluster for the hype that surrounds him.

23.  Detroit Lions – Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

STUD: While you may not know him yet, cornerback Stephon Gilmore is one of the fastest-rising names on the board.

24.  Pittsburgh Steelers – Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia

STUD: Big Ben needs the help of offensive line stud Cordy Glenn to keep him upright.

25.  Denver Broncos – Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

DUD: The Broncos will quietly try to draft the eventual replacement for Tim Tebow, but Tannehill will be even worse. Don’t tempt fate, Denver.

26.  Houston Texans – Mark Barron, S, Alabama

STUD: If Mark Barron falls to Houston and Mario Williams re-signs with the team, the Texans will have the best defense in the NFL.

27.  New England Patriots – Devon Still, DT, Penn State

STUD: Vince Wilfork, meet your new playmate, Devon Still.

28.  Green Bay Packers – Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

DUD: Despite an excellent showing at the combine, Mercilus inst NFL-ready. Yet.

29.  Baltimore Ravens – Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

DUD: With injury concerns in college that may even carry over into the pro, Konz is a risk that may not pay off.

30.  San Francisco 49ers – Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

DUD: The San Francisco 49ers will take Kendall Wright in what will be the botch of the draft.

31.  New England Patriots – Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

STUD: In terms of route running and precision, Mohamed Sanu is the best in their year’s class.

32.  New York Giants – Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

STUD: The Super Bowl Champion New York Giants need help in the middle and will get it from Dont’a Hightower.

Check back for more on the National Football League as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s NFL Page to get your fill of all things football.

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